Encephalitis

Definition:-

 encephalitis is defined as infection and inflammation   of brain and  cerebral tissue which may cause increased ICP and may lead  to   hemorrhage. 

- If encephalitis  is  caused by the infection of  meninges then it is known as meningoencephalitis.

 Etiology:-

 -this condition is mostly caused by viral infection such as herpes zoster virus,  cytomegalo virus     [ rabies virus ,   polio, measles mumps virus.
- bacterial infection pneumococcal meningitis,   mycobacterium tuberculosis  or pneumococcus,     Streptococcus.
- Parasite  example;- toxoplasmosis.
- head injury.
- drug toxicity.
-  ischemia of brain.
- skull fracture.
- CVA [ cerebro  vascular accident].

 Clinical manifestation:-

1.  fever.
2. headache.
3. loss of consciousness.
4. nuchal rigidity.
5.  Convulsions.
6. ataxia.
7. hemiparesis.
8. Increased ICP.
9.  restlessness.
10. cerebral edema.
11. nausea and vomiting.

 Pathophysiology:-

due to etiological factor

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 entry of microorganism into brain and cerebral tissue

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 Infection occur in brain and cerebral tissue

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lesion formation in brain and cerebral tissue

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 Inflammatory process

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 decreased or  obstructed blood supply  to brain and cerebral tissue

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 Hypoxia and ischemia  occurs in  brain and cerebral tissue

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Encephalitis.

 Diagnostic evaluation:-

- CT scan.
- MRI.
-  Skull   x-ray.
-   EEG.
- lumber puncture for CSF examination.
- glass Coma Scale .
- ICP checkup.

 Medical management:-

- hospitalize the patient and  assess  the  patient condition and check diagnostic test result.
- Level of consciousness  by GCS.
- administered antipyretic and   analgesic  drugs such as PCM  to reduce pain.
- administer  the antibacterial drug such as rifampicin, cephalosporin drugs.
- Administer antiviral drugs such as  acyclovir,  famicyclovir.
- administer anticonvulsant drug such as benzotrophine to reduce the  risk of convulsion.
- administered corticosteroids drugs such as prednisolone  to reduce  the  inflammatory process.
- Maintain fluid and electrolyte balance by  intravenous therapy.